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3 Answers

Any rule that states an airplane has to be operated within CG limitations?

Asked by: 1209 views Aerodynamics, FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor

Hello all,

I am a CFI-initial student and was asked from a student pilot (during my practice teaching) if there are any rules that regulate a pilot from operating out of CG limitations. I know for the concern of safety, yes, you would never want to fly out of the CG limits... but is there a regulation that states that a pilot operate an aircraft within limitations set forth by the manufacturer?

Thank you

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3 Answers

  1. Best Answer


    Jeff Baum on Feb 22, 2023

    14 CFR 91.9(a) states, “(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, no person may operate a civil aircraft without complying with the operating limitations specified in the approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, markings, and placards, or as otherwise prescribed by the certificating authority of the country of registry.”

    Weight and Balance information is found in both the “Weight & Balance” section, and in the “Limitations” section of the AFM/POH. As maximum weights and CG limits are listed the Limitations section, they fall under 91.9. Exceeding those would violate 91.9.

    Page 10-4 in the FAA’s PHAK states, “While there are no specified requirements for a pilot operating under 14 CFR part 91 to conduct weight and balance calculations prior to each flight, 14 CFR part 91, section 91.9 requires the pilot in command (PIC) to comply with the operating limits in the approved AFM. These limits include the weight and balance of the aircraft. To enable pilots to make weight and balance computations, charts and graphs are provided in the approved AFM.

    As an example, when I fly our plane with just my wife, I don’t do a W&B as I already know that we’re within CG and max weigh. Add in a couple more people or lots of bags/cargo and I pull out my baggage scale and then run a full W&B for that flight.

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  2. flyn_xman on Feb 22, 2023

    Perfect! This was just what I was looking for… I couldn’t find the specific reg that stated what you said as I kept trying to interpret 91.103 to cover it but this is much more specific. Thank you!

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  3. Mark Kolber on Feb 24, 2023

    The regulatory requirement to comply with something in the Limitations section of the POH or AFMS should ideally be pretty basic.

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